Latest News

Casino Guru Reveals Findings from Unique Safer Gambling Week Campaign

Published

3 years ago

December 2, 2021

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Safer Gambling Week is a yearly initiative originated in the United Kingdom that aims to raise awareness of safer and more responsible gambling. Casino Guru, staying true to their values and going further than expected in efforts to improve player safety, has created a unique campaign that promoted safer and responsible gambling messages across their English website over the course of the Safer Gambling Week 2021, from Nov 1 to Nov 7.

The team worked with the premise that responsible gambling messages need to be interesting and distinctive to capture the users’ attention and truly get the message across. That is why they crafted a unique campaign aiming to increase awareness of gambling addiction and responsible gambling and motivate players to take action if needed.

“Despite our efforts to create well-researched and truly helpful educational responsible gambling content, only a small percentage of our visitors searches for it and reads it. Unfortunately, players often start looking for this type of content only after noticing the first signs of problem gambling. The majority of players gamble responsibly, and it is crucial to reinforce their good habits and promote preventive steps that minimize the chance of becoming problem gamblers later on,” explains Šimon Vincze, Responsible Gambling Projects Lead at Casino Guru.

In line with this approach, Casino Guru’s creative team has designed and implemented three different responsible gambling messages – “It’s Safer Gambling Week 2021”, “Thank you for caring”, and “Responsible players do not lose” – each designed with a different deliberate idea in mind, to allow the team to test and measure what kind of messaging works best. Each version linked to a different responsible gambling article that complemented and built upon the original message.

These messages appeared at prominent locations across the website to make them as visible as possible. The detailed version of the message was displayed as a widget in the website’s list of best casinos. It was designed to resemble the cards presenting information about individual casinos to minimize ‘banner blindness,’ as people are used to overlooking ads and other elements that look like ads. The simpler and shorter version of the message was displayed at the top of each page, in a bright orange widget to visually stand out and go in line with Safer Gambling Week’s colour scheme.

Overall, 2.31% of the users who saw one of the three messages clicked it to read more. This percentage was the highest for the ‘Responsible players do not lose’ message at 2.54%, followed by ‘Thank you for caring’ at 2.35% and ‘It’s Safer Gambling Week 2021’ at 2.05%. The team has not measured any significant differences in metrics measured in different genders and age groups.

Vincze comments on the findings: “In terms of the number of visitors who clicked the message, the ‘Responsible players do not lose’ version yielded the best results. However, it had the lowest percentage of users that spent at least 60 seconds browsing the linked article. This was in line with our expectations, as this version was a bit of a clickbait, although one with good intentions. On the other hand, the ‘It’s Safer Gambling Week 2021’ version, in which the messaging was most informative and least captivating, yielded the least clicks but the highest percentage of users who then spent at least 60 seconds on the article.”

The individual articles linked from the three messages contained links to other, more encyclopaedical responsible gambling content, such as a list of problem gambling help centres, articles about gambling addiction and overcoming it, safer and responsible gambling, and more. The list of problem gambling help centres garnered the most attention, although this was likely influenced by a link to it placed at the top of each of the three articles.

Vincze adds: “When it comes to helping players and making a positive impact, numbers and metrics are not the only things that matter. Even if our campaign helped only one player stay safer while gambling or look for help, we can call it a success, regardless of the overall statistics we measured.”

He continues by putting the campaign into a broader context: “In comparison to our normal educational articles about problem and responsible gambling, our Safer Gambling Week campaign has been seen by a relatively big number of visitors. To make sure we maximize our positive impact all year round, we plan to use our findings to create an effective long-term campaign, which will be part of our future efforts aimed at educating and informing players and the public about gambling and its dangers. There is much to look forward to!”

Latest News

Spinomenal nets content partnership with Fair Play Casino

Published

53 minutes ago

May 19, 2025

George Miller

Reading Time: < 1 minute

Spinomenal, the leading iGaming content provider, has expanded its presence in the regulated Dutch market with a new content partnership with operator Fair Play Casino Online.

The partnership will enable fairplaycasino.nl to provide its players with Spinomenal’s top-performing content and impressive range of titles including Queen Of Ice, Reign of Seth, and Trout’s Treasure – Payday. These titles and more will be made available in the casino lobby via the Finnplay platform.

Spinomenal CEO, Lior Shvartz commented: “As part of our strategy to expand in key regulated markets, we’re pleased to partner with Fair Play Casino Online, a respected name in the industry and an ideal partner.”

Fair Play Casino Online, Pascal Janshen added: “We always want to give our players the very best casino experience, so being able to offer Spinomenal’s rich array of content in our lobby is the perfect way to elevate our content.”

The post Spinomenal nets content partnership with Fair Play Casino appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Latest News

Running, Riding, and Rising Together: Wellness Takes the Lead at MARE BALTICUM 2025

Published

3 days ago

May 16, 2025

George Miller

Reading Time: 2 minutes

MARE BALTICUM Gaming & TECH Summit 2025 Breaking News:

Ultramarathoner Živilė Šerkšnaitė to Guide the Morning Networking Run!

Join us for an exciting running route across beautiful Vilnius, where we will be led by Živilė Šerkšnaitė – Ultramarathoner, Artist, Mountaineer, and human extraordinaire!

At HIPTHER, we’ve always believed that great ideas flow better when the body moves and the mind is clear. That’s why fitness and wellness are not just side activities at our conferences – they’re part of our DNA.

Join us for the Morning Networking Run in Vilnius: All paces are welcome – just bring your energy and running shoes!

Meet Your Running Guide: Živilė Šerkšnaitė

This year, the MARE BALTICUM Gaming & TECH Summit 2025 is taking that ethos to new heights – or, shall we say, new strides.

On May 28th at 07:30 AM, attendees are invited to join a Morning Networking Run across scenic Vilnius, guided by none other than Živilė Šerkšnaitė – Ultramarathoner, Artist, Mountaineer, and all-around human powerhouse. With up to 8km of easy-paced movement and conversation, the run will return by 08:45 AM – just in time for a quick refresh and a powerful Day 2 kick-off.

And of course, we’ll keep you hydrated and happy: A big shoutout to WALLETTO, our Replenish Sponsor, for fuelling our runners with vitamin water and good vibes!

👉 Secure your spot: https://hipther.com/MBGTSvilnius

A Legacy of Movement…

HIPTHER introduced Morning Networking Runs in 2022, bringing early risers together for invigorating starts in Prague, Riga, Budapest, and Warsaw. The initiative was met with open arms (and elevated heart rates), prompting us to add Morning Yoga Sessions in 2023, creating moments of calm and clarity before packed agendas.

These aren’t just wellness gimmicks. They reflect our deep commitment to human-centric growth, nurturing not just minds, but bodies and spirits too. Because in our world, strong connections are built not just in panels and presentations, but on running paths, yoga mats, and bike routes.

So whether you’re lacing up your sneakers or strapping on your helmet, we can’t wait to move with you in Vilnius!

…Beyond Conferences

To help our community stay active beyond conference days, we’ve also created two growing digital wellness spaces – where movement meets motivation:

👟 HIPTHER’s iGaming & TECH Run Club on Strava brings together runners from across the industry who are eager to stay fit, share their achievements, and inspire each other. Whether you’re training for your next 10K or just enjoying a weekend jog, this is your place to connect.

🚴 And now, for the pedal-powered pros and weekend wanderers alike, we’re proud to introduce the brand new iGaming & TECH Cycling Club. Hop on your bike, track your rides, and cycle alongside fellow gaming & tech professionals – virtually and globally.

Join the movement here:

Run Club: https://www.strava.com/clubs/igamingtechrunners
Cycling Club: https://www.strava.com/clubs/1501357

Let’s run, ride, and rise – together! #hipthers

The post Running, Riding, and Rising Together: Wellness Takes the Lead at MARE BALTICUM 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Latest News

S8UL acquires North America’s leading Mobile Legends: Bang Bang roster ahead of Esports World Cup 2025

Published

3 days ago

May 16, 2025

George Miller

Reading Time: 3 minutes

S8UL Esports, a global powerhouse in esports and gaming content, has officially acquired the renowned North American Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) team formerly known as BloodThirstyKings (BTK). With this move, S8UL makes a historic entry into the MLBB competitive circuit, becoming the first Indian organisation to sign a top-tier international MLBB roster ahead of the Esports World Cup (EWC) 2025 and other major tournaments.

The roster joining S8UL comprises:

– Michael “MobaZane” Cosgun

– Ian “FwydChickn” Hohl

– Jang “Hoon” Seong-hun

– Ziameth-Jei “ZIA” Caluya

– Vo “Shark” Trung

– Carlos “Bestplayer1” Ortega Vega

Founded in 2020, BTK rose to international prominence after their third-place finish at the MLBB M3 World Championship, where they notably defeated the Filipino powerhouse Blacklist International, taking home $80,000 (INR 68.4 lakh). Since then, the team has been a consistent force in North America’s MLBB ecosystem, with multiple regional championship wins and strong global performances to their name.

The roster officially qualified for the MLBB Mid Season Cup (MSC) at the upcoming EWC 2025 following a dominant run in the recently concluded North America Challenger Tournament (NACT) Spring Season, where they defeated Area 77 in the Grand Finals with a 4-2 scoreline.

With players who have competed across multiple MLBB world championships, S8UL’s newest roster brings immense experience and proven ability to perform under pressure. This acquisition marks a milestone moment for Indian esports, positioning S8UL at the forefront of global competition in one of the world’s most watched mobile esports titles.

Animesh Agarwal, aka 8Bit Thug, Co-founder and CEO of S8UL, commented, “We’re committing to MLBB in a big way — becoming a partnered organization and aligning closely with the S8UL vision, with the legendary Michael ‘MobaZane’ Cosgun leading the charge. As a mobile-first org, MLBB holds a special place for us — it’s the only mobile title among the eight games we’re part of. The game’s growth in India is promising, and we’re excited to contribute to its rise by working closely with key Indian stakeholders. This is just the beginning of what we aim to build with MLBB”

The team’s previous accolades include a hard-fought 4-3 victory over Gaimin Gladiators in the NACT Spring Finals and an unforgettable reverse sweep against Cloud9 in the NACT Fall 2024 Grand Finals, turning a 0-3 deficit into a thrilling 4-3 win. That comeback secured their place at the M6 World Championship, where they went on to finish in the top 10. Collectively, the roster has earned close to $150,000 (approx. INR 1.2 crore) in prize winnings, establishing themselves as one of the most accomplished MLBB teams in North America.

“We’ve been on a long journey together, from grassroots tournaments to the world stage, and every chapter has shaped who we are as a team. Joining S8UL feels like the beginning of something bigger than just competition. It’s about aligning with an organisation that understands not just the game, but the grind, the setbacks, and the stories that build champions. We’re not here just to play, we’re here to evolve, to represent, and to create a legacy that goes beyond titles and trophies. With S8UL behind us, we now have the platform to take that next big leap.” said team captain Michael Cosgun aka MobaZane.

According to data from Esports Charts, MLBB is the world’s most popular esports game in 2025, with a peak viewership of 2.7 million. The M6 World Championship held last year recorded an impressive peak viewership of 4.13 million and maintained an average viewership of 709,000 across its 120-hour broadcast, making it one of the largest and most-watched esports tournaments of 2024.

At EWC 2025, 16 of the world’s top MLBB teams will compete in double elimination group stages and best-of-5 knockout rounds which will culminate in a best-of-7 grand final. With a $3,000,000 (approx. INR 25.6 crore) prize pool on the line, this year’s MSC is set to be one of the biggest mobile esports events in history.

S8UL’s MLBB roster brings a balanced mix of experience and synergy across all roles. MobaZane leads as the Jungler, with FwydChickn in the EXP Lane and Hoon anchoring the Mid Lane. ZIA handles the Gold Lane, while Shark plays Roamer, driving team engagements. Bestplayer1 adds depth as a second Jungler, offering strategic flexibility for different matchups.

With this announcement, S8UL has now unveiled rosters across seven different titles for EWC 2025. The lineups are as follows:

Apex Legends: Rick Wirth (Sharky), Benjamin Spaseski (Jesko) and Tom Canty (Legacy)

Call of Duty: Warzone: Colin Bowers-Wilson (Trikempathy), Braxton Trice (Braxtvn), and Ryder Skarzinski (Ryda)

Chess: Nihal Sarin and Aravindh Chithambaram

EAFC25: Jonas Wirth (Jonny) and Aaron Rivera (Happy)

Mobile Legends Bang Bang: Michael Cosgun (MobaZane), Ian Hohl (FwydChickn), Jang Seong-hun (Hoon), Ziameth-Jei Caluya (ZIA), Vo Trung (Shark), and Carlos Ortega Vega (Bestplayer1)

Starcraft II: Pyung Jae Koh (GuMiho)

Tekken 8: Arja Gamoori (Sephiblack) and Nino Schwarz (Nino)

The post S8UL acquires North America’s leading Mobile Legends: Bang Bang roster ahead of Esports World Cup 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.